title: Analysis of the neurotoxin anisatin in star anise by LC-MS/MS.
abstract: The aim of this work was to develop an analytical method capable of determining the presence of anisatin in star anise. This neurotoxin may induce severe side effects such as epileptic convulsions. It is therefore of prime importance to have rapid and accurate analytical methods able to detect and quantify anisatin in samples that are purportedly edible star anise. The sample preparation combined an automated accelerated solvent extraction with a solid-supported liquid-liquid purification step on EXtrelut®. Samples were analysed on a porous graphitic carbon HPLC column and quantified by tandem mass spectrometry operating in the negative ionisation mode. The quantification range of anisatin was between 0.2 and 8 mg kg⁻¹. The applicability of this validated method was demonstrated by the analysis of several Illicium species and star anise samples purchased on the Swiss market. High levels of anisatin were measured in Illicium lanceolatum, I. majus and I. anisatum, which may cause health concerns if they are misidentified or mixed with edible Illicium verum.
authors.affiliation: a Official Food and Veterinary Control Authority of Geneva , Geneva , Switzerland.
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mathon
authors.forename: Benjamin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bongard
authors.forename: Monique
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Duret
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ortelli
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christen
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bieri
mesh_terms: D057205:Automation, Laboratory; D001628:Beverages / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000032:analysis; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003257:Consumer Product Safety; D005513:Food Inspection / Q000379:methods*; D005515:Food Labeling; D005517:Foodborne Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005638:Fruit / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D029523:Illicium / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000145:classification; D007783:Lactones / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D009498:Neurotoxins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D010945:Plants, Edible / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D010947:Plants, Toxic / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000737:chemistry; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012717:Sesquiterpenes / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D013045:Species Specificity; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization; D013141:Spiro Compounds / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry / Q000633:toxicity; D013557:Switzerland; D053719:Tandem Mass Spectrometry
chemical_list: D007783:Lactones; D009498:Neurotoxins; D012717:Sesquiterpenes; D013141:Spiro Compounds; C031244:anisatin